NHTSA Complaint #10299812 — 2002 KIA SPORTAGE

2002 KIA SPORTAGE 4WD HAS A VACUUM-HUB SYSTEM, I HAVE BEEN RESEARCHING ON THE INTERNET AND HAVE FOUND THAT THIS HAS A HISTORY OF FAILURE, HOWEVER THERE IS NO WAY OF KNOWING THAT THE 4WD IS NOT ENGAGED,BECAUSE THE INDICATOR ON THE DASHBOARD LIGHTS WHETHER OR NOT THE 4WD IS WORKING. THIS IS A COMMON ONGOING PROBLEM IN THESE VEHICLES, THE SOLUTION WOULD BE TO INSTALL MANUAL HUBS,HOWEVER KIA DOES NOT OFFER TO PAY FOR THIS OPTION TO ITS CONSUMERS. I LIVE IN WISCONSIN AND AM A SINGLE MOTHER AND DEPEND UPON THE 4 WHEEL DRIVE TO GET ME THROUGH THE WISCONSIN WINTERS, NOW THAT THE 4 WHEEL DRIVE IS NOT WORKING I GET STUCK IN THE SMALLEST AMOUNT OF SNOW, AND FEEL LIKE A IDIOT CALLING AAA TO TOW ME OUT ALL THE TIME. I THINK THAT THIS PROBLEM SHOULD BE MADE INTO A RECALL ESPECIALLY SINCE I ONLY HAVE 56,000 MILES ON THE VEHICLE AND AM THE ORIGINAL OWNER. *TR